This one of a series of Prepaid Phone News' profiles covering the major US mobile operators and MVNOs.
Overview: H2O Wireless (800-843-4926) is a brand of Locus Telecomunications, a wholly owned subsidiary of Japan's second largest mobile operator KDDI. H2O has been operating as an AT&T Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) since 1998. Locus claims to have over 300,000 MVNO customers currently.
Technology:
H2O uses AT&T's 850 and 1900 Mhz network with GPRS, Edge and HSPA+ data support. AT&T's 4G LTE network is not currently available to H2O subscribers.
H2O Plans
Name
Price
Voice
Domestic Text/MMS
International
Data
Pay As You Go
$3.33/mo and up. 1
5¢/min
5¢/10¢
5¢/min to landlines in 70 countries, 10¢/text
10¢/MB
$25 Pay As You Go
$25/30 days
2.5¢/min
2.5¢/10¢
$5 call credit, 10¢/text
10¢/MB
$30 Unlimited
$30/mo
unlimited
unlimited
$5 Credit, 100 texts 2
500 MB 2
$40 Unlimited
$40/30 days
unlimited
unlimited
$20 Credit, 100 texts 2
1 GB 2
$50 Unlimited
$50/30 days
unlimited
unlimited
$40 Credit, unlimited texts
2 GB 2
$60 Unlimited
$60/30 days
unlimited
unlimited
$20 Credit, 100 texts 2
Unlimited 3
1 $3.33 is the minimum monthly cost which is achieved by using a $10 top up every 90 days. Available top-ups are: $10/90 days, $20/90 days, $30/90 days and $100/1 year.
2 Addition data is available at 5¢/MB by adding a $10 "Feature Card" which can also be used for international text messaging at 10¢/text. Unused Feature Card balances expire at the end of the plan month.
3 Users report that the $60 plan's data is throttled after 3.5 GB is used. Throttled speed is approximately 128 Kbps.
Family Plan Discount: H2O's Family Plan provides a discount for multiple lines of monthly unlimited service on the same account. The primary line can be on the $30 plan but the other lines must be on a $40 or higher plan. The discount is $10 off for two lines, $20 off for three and $30 off for four.
The Family Plan discount is only available through H2O dealers or by calling 1-800-643-4926. Auto pay is NOT available for family plans which must be renewed each month at a dealer or by calling H2O.
10% Auto Pay Discount: H2O is currently running a promotion that gives users a 10% discount in return for signing up for auto-pay, which H2O calls auto recharge. The discount is a limited time promotion. You need to enroll in auto recharge by April 19, 2014 to be eligible. The discount itself applies for 12 months after signup. Auto recharge can be used with any plan, except family plans, but the only frequency choices are every 7, 14 and 29 days, which makes using it with H2O's 90 and 365 day pay as you go plans impractical.
The discount is for new auto recharge signups, current auto recharge users aren't eligible. Presumably, current auto recharge users could cancel auto recharge and re-enroll to get the discount.
To enroll in auto recharge, log in to your H2O online profile and click the "No time to keep track of expiration date?" link.
Other Fees: 411 Directory Assistance costs $3 per call and is only available on pay as you go plans. Use 1-800-FREE-411 instead.
International Rates:
Monthly plans include a $5 to $40/month international call credit. Additional credit can be purchased by calling 1-800-643-4926. Check international rates here. Sample rates per minute: Mexico landline 15¢, India landline 6.7¢, Philippines landline 35.9¢, UK mobile 24¢. H2O supports international direct dialing which reportedly doesn't always work. When direct dialing doesn't work monthly plan users can place international calls using the access number 1-213-808-6199
Users on the standard 5¢/minute pay as you plan can call landlines in 70 countries for the same 5¢/minute price as a domestic call. To get this special rate users must first call a 11 digit access number (1-562-252-0100) and then enter the international number when prompted. Pay as you go users can also direct dial international numbers at the month plan rates plus an additional 5¢/minute.
International messaging: The $30, $40 and $60 Monthly plans include 100 free outgoing international texts/month. Additional texts on monthly plans and all texts on pay as you go are are 10¢/each. The $50 plan includes unlimited outgoing international texts. Incoming international texts are free on unlimited plans. International MMS (picture messages) are 10¢/each to send and receive on all plans. International texts and MMS on monthly plans are funded using a $10 Feature Card. Unused Feature Card balances expire at the end of the plan month.
Coverage: The coverage map on the H2O site is the AT&T, postpaid map which shows coverage in partner (roaming) areas. However there is no roaming on H2O. Use the AT&T coverage map and select "GoPhone Pay As You Go" for an accurate depiction of H2O coverage.
Devices: H20 sells phones including feature phones, refurbished iPhones and Android devices on their Website.
H2O sells SIMs for $9.99 for regular and micro SIMs and $14.99 for nano SIMs with free shipping. SIMs are available for less than a dollar with free shipping from Amazon
. H2O SIMs will work with any AT&T phone, including iPhones. Unlocked non-AT&T GSM phones will also work provided they support the 850/1900 Mhz bands.
Data settings: There's a free H2O Config Android app that can be used to configure data and MMS older Android phones. The app doesn't work with Android 4.0 and latter. It's straight forward to manually setup data and MMS on Android (all versions) and Windows Phone 8 and later using the following settings:
APN - att.mvno (no user id or password)
Proxy IP Address: 66.209.11.33
Proxy Port: 80
Authentication Type: PAP
APN Type: default,supl,mms
MMS settings:
APN - att.mvno
User name - (leave blank)
Password - (leave blank)
MMSC URL - http://mmsc.cingular.com
MMS Proxy IP Address: 66.209.11.33
MMS Proxy Port: 80
As with other AT&T MVNOs that aren't Apple partners, data and MMS (picture messaging) does not work "out of the box" with iPhones on H2O. It's relatively easy to get iPhone data working using the configuration tool at www.unlockit.co.nz. Enabling MMS requires manual configuration using the "SIM swap" method or the APNEdit Cydia app on jail broken iPhones.
You can use a BlackBerry, however BlackBerry Internet Server (BIS) is not available so BlackBerry Mail and Messenger will not work.
How to Activate: If you aren't porting a number from another operator you can activate online at www.H2OWirelessNow.com or by calling 1-800-643-4926 from a different phone than the one you are activating. Activation will ask for your "ACTFAST Code which is a 9 or 10 digit number printed on the SIM card.
Porting In: If you are porting a number to H2O, use the online Number Transfer Request form or by calling 1-800-643-4926.
Porting Out: When porting an H2O number to another operator you will need your H2O account number which is the full 20 digits of the SIM Card number and your passcode which is the last 4 digits of SIM number. You also need to call H2O customer service at 1-800-643-4926 and ask them to release your number for porting so you might as well confirm the account # and PIN with them. They will ask you to provide the 3 most recent outgoing calls.
Account Management: You can check your cash balance and expiration date and add funds and set up auto pay at h2owirelessnow.com. You can get a free text message with your balance and expiration date by dialing *777# from your H2O phone. On monthly plans you can check how much data you have left by dialing *777*1#. There are free MyH2O Android and iPhone apps that display your expiration date and balance and lets you add PINs.
Call records are not available from H2O.
Usage Messages: On the Pay As You Go and $25 plans, the system sends a message (USSD Push) after every billable event (call, SMS, MMS or data session). These messages appear on the phone's screen and say how much the previous event cost. Some phones also vibrate or beep when the message is received. Most users find the messages disruptive and they can't be shut off at the system level. Android users running Android 4.2.1 and earlier can block them with the Balance Update /USSD Blocker app. That app doesn't work on Android versions 4.2.2 and later but the USSD Blocker Xposed module does, but only on rooted phones.
Payment Options: Instant refills using a credit or debit card are available by calling 1-800-643-4926. You can set up automatic refills using a credit or debit card by calling or at h2owirelessnow.com.
Airtime PINs can also be purchased at a discount from callingmart.com and other online retailers. You can top up a H2O account with a PIN code by calling 611 from the H2O phone or 1-800-643-4926 from any phone. You can also top up with a PIN by dialing *111* followed by the PIN number and #.
Call Forwarding, Call Waiting and 3-Way Calling
Call forwarding and 3-Way calling are only available on pay by the minute plans, not on the unlimited plans.
To forward all calls to another number: Press *21*, the 10-digit number to which you wish to forward your calls, and # and SEND. For example: *21*1234567890# SEND, forwards your calls to the phone number 123-456-7890. You will receive a confirmation message. You will be charged for forwarded calls.
To cancel call forwarding: Press #21# SEND. You will receive a cOnline Chat:onfirmation message.
To forward unanswered calls only (conditional call forwarding): Press *004* followed by the number you want calls forwarded to and # and SEND (*004*-123-456-7890# SEND) and wait for a confirmation tone or message. You will be charged for forwarded calls.
To cancel conditional call forwarding: Press #004# SEND and wait for a confirmation tone or message.
Call waiting: Call waiting is enabled by default. It lets you place one call on hold while you take another call. When you are on a call and have another incoming call, you will hear a short tone. You'll have approximately 30 seconds to answer before the second caller hears a standard message or is forwarded to voicemail. Unless you are on an unlimited plan, you will be charged for both calls.
To answer Call Waiting: To put the first call on hold, press "SEND." You'll automatically be connected with the second call. To return to the first call, press "SEND" again. To switch between the two calls, press "SEND."
3-Way Calling: Lets you create a conference call between yourself and two other people. You will be charged for both calls if you are not on an unlimited plan.
While on the first call, dial the 10-digit number of the second person and press "SEND." The first person is automatically put on hold while the call is made.
When the 2nd person answers, press "SEND" to create the conference call.
H2O "Secret" Codes:
All are free to use
*777# - to display current balance and plan expiration date
*777*1# - to display data used ($30 - $60 monthly plans only)
*#62# - to display your alternate voice mail access number
Free information services calls
611 - H2O customer care
711 - Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) for the hearing and speech impaired
911 - Emergency services
Customer Service: H2O customer support has a reputation for long hold times and representatives who are often unable to fix problems.
Phone support: 1-800-643-4926 9 AM - 12 Midnight ET Mon-Fri, 9 AM - 11 PM Sat-Sun
Online Chat: Click the chat button in the top right corner of the h2owirelessnow.com homepage.
Email support: cusomerservice@h2owirelessnow.com
Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, YouTube
Sales and General Information Web Site: h2owirelessnow.com
Locus Private Labels: There are a number of private label companies that act as MVNOs of Locus Telecomunications (itself an MVNO), reselling the same plans as H2O. Private labels include Black Wireless, KDDI Wireless (mostly Japanese language Website), Skyview Wireless and V247 Mobile. Black Wireless reportedly has its own customer service representatives that some users feel provide better support than H2O's reps.
H2O Pros: pricing, coverage, BYOD, good international voice rates, international direct dialing, support for call forwarding and 3-way calling (on pay as you go plans only).
H2O Cons: ineffective customer service, USSD usage messages on pay as you go can't be disabled, no call forwarding on monthly plans, no detailed call records. misleading website (incorrect postpaid coverage map, throttling on $60 plan not disclosed).
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